We cannot allow war to become humanity’s everyday reality again
On November 24, 2025, the Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform took place in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. The event drew approximately 70 delegations, comprising both online and offline participants, from nearly 50 countries, including representatives of international parliamentary institutions.
The Summit was attended by representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the Nordic Council, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the European Parliament.
In his address, the Head of the Ukrainian State expressed gratitude for the principled stance and for clearly stating that the annexation of Ukrainian Crimea in 2014 was illegal. The President also highlighted the work of the Crimea Platform and its parliamentary component, which is based on respect for every nation and state and on the protection of the core principles that maintained peace in Europe.
He specifically focused on the need to implement the “all for all” formula for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian hostages, and children abducted by Russia. The President of Ukraine stressed that true peace is possible only through the inevitable accountability of the aggressor and the return of all occupied territories, including Crimea.
ZMINA publishes his speech in full.
I am glad that the Crimea platform at its parliamentary track continues to work and keeps attention on a simple truth — every nation and every state must be respected.
These principles are clear: respect for human life, no changing borders by force, and no ‘spheres of influence’ – a polite term used to cover the desire to dominate other nations and wage wars of aggression. This is exactly what the Crimea Platform stands for: refusing to accept that launching wars of conquest is ‘normal,’ and refusing to normalize cruelty toward people and nations
Thank you for taking this principled position and for clearly stating that the annexation of Crimea in 2014 was illegal. We all understand the global reality. In a world of hundreds of nations, there are thousands of potential wars. Some frozen, of course, some hidden under old deals, some still smoldering. But in most cases, peace is upheld by international law, by conventions, agreements, and the UN Charter. If these principles do not work here in Europe, then where will they work?
That war, not peace, would again become humanity’s everyday reality as in dark times. We cannot allow this.
Right now, we are at a critical moment, and we are working closely with the United States, with European partners, with many, many others to define steps that can end Russia’s war against us, against Ukraine, and bring real security.
There is a lot of noise in the media, a lot of political pressure, and even greater responsibility for the decisions I have. [Russian ruler Vladimir] Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen – to break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty – and that’s the main problem. You all understand what that means. He wants it not only from Ukraine – he wants it from the whole world, and it’s very dangerous.
I want to stress one more thing. In the steps we have coordinated with the side of the U.S., we managed to keep extremely sensitive points on the table, including the full release of all Ukrainian prisoners of war, the all-for-all formula, and civilian, and the complete return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. These are important steps, but to achieve real peace, more is needed.
Read also: Russia has killed 661 Ukrainian children since start of its full-scale war
Of course, we all continue working with partners, especially the United States and look for but not weaken us. We will continue explaining how dangerous it is to pretend that aggression is something one can simply overlook and move on. I ask you not to stay silent, do not be passive observers of history, but be participants. It is essential to support Ukraine, and I appreciate your support.
It is important to support the negotiation process, and I’m grateful for every piece of advice and every bit of information we receive from European leaders. It is crucial to support the principles on which Europe stands, that borders cannot be changed by force, that war criminals must not escape justice, and that the aggressor must pay fully for the war he started.
This is why decisions on Russian assets are essential. Please support these decisions, and above all, keep pressure on Russia. Russia is still killing people. Every day. Occupied territories remain occupied. And that means Russia remains a criminal state.
Today, almost 70 parliamentary delegations are present, and if parliaments in Europe, in the world, do not close their eyes to this, then no one will.
Thank you for your support.
Слава Україні! Glory to Ukraine.
